Kaleidoscope Abelia With Yellow Leaves

Foliage Features

• Compared to the typical common abelia, the leaves of the Kaleidoscope cultivar are variegated in a naturally yellow color. The small tapering leaves display an irregular medium green center with wide bands of pale to rich yellow edges. As temperatures cool in winter, the yellow leaf pigments, especially on leaves on branch tips, blush golden orange to coppery dark red. In USDA zones 7b and warmer, the leaves typically remain evergreen, but colder winters do cause many leaves to drop off and then regrow in spring.

Causes of Yellowing

• The Kaleidoscope abelia's foliage should not become fully yellow. Look at the center of leaves to see if the small core of green remains green and not a sickly or bleached shade of yellow-green or yellow. Unhealthy yellowing of abelia leaves is caused either from inhospitable soil pH or from overly dry soil, coupled with excessive exposure to intense sun rays in summer.

Preventing Yellowing

• To prevent the central green cores of the variegated leaves from yellowing, always plant your Kaleidoscope abelia in an acidic soil. Low soil pH increases the availability of micronutrients, especially magnesium and iron, which maintain green pigmentation. A fertile soil that contains organic matter naturally provides nutrients for good plant growth; poor sandy soils cause yellow or white new leaves. Apply a balanced formula of slow-release granular fertilizer in spring and midsummer to ensure adequate soil nutrition. Also keep the soil evenly moist and well-drained, especially in the heat of summer.

Other Considerations

• Leaves on a Kaleidoscope abelia may also bleach pale yellow to white when it receives more than six hours of direct sun daily. Abelias are remarkably drought-tolerant, but leaf yellowing can still occur. In this circumstance, relocate shrubs so they receive sun only in the morning or evening, with dappled, bright shade from noon to 4 p.m. Reflected light off of building facades or concrete patios can exacerbate sun bleaching of foliage. If the soil is soggy, overly yellow leaves on abelias may result from stress caused by anthracnose and root rot diseases.